Thursday, January 16, 2014

Are
you overly sensitive to criticism? Do you put up a false front to impress
others? Do you underestimate your abilities and consider yourself as worthless?
If yes, then it is quite possible that you are suffering from low
self-confidence.

Why is Self-Confidence So Important?

If
you want to turn your dreams into reality, you need self-confidence. A healthy
self-confidence is important for achieving success in life. It helps you
achieve goals, take risks, lead a happy and satisfied life, and become a better
human being in general.

What is a Healthy Self-Confidence?

Oxford
Dictionary defines self-confidence as "trust in one's abilities,
qualities, and judgment." An individual with a healthy self-confidence tries
out new things. They take important decisions and accept responsibility for the
consequences. They may have a deep faith in their abilities and skills, but
they also accept criticism.

Their
never-say-die attitude helps them bounce back from failures quickly. Disapproval
of others does not stop them from doing what they know is right.

What Are the Signs of Low Self-Confidence?

Low
self-confidence can appear in various ways in different individuals. However, all of these stem from one basic
thought or feeling, that is, lack of faith in one's abilities. People with low
self-confidence think that they don't have the qualities required to succeed in
this world.

They
think they are worthless. They may constantly say bad things about themselves
and avoid getting into a task that may prove that they are worthless. They fear
that their friends may find about their lack of abilities and make fun of them.
So, they withdraw socially.

Even
the slightest criticism upsets them terribly. They will also use this criticism
to convince themselves that they were right all along, that is, they are indeed
worthless.

Individuals
with low self-confidence often prefer sticking to the familiar. Their
perfectionist standards are often easily noticeable by people living with
them.

The
individual is always looking for ways to please others. They are constantly
seeking approval from parents and authority figures. Achieving good results in
a task is not enough without the praise and admiration of others.

Low
self-confidence may also be expressed in the form of excessive anger. They may
try to hurt others physically or emotionally. Sudden outbursts of anger are
quite commonly seen in these individuals.

People
with low self-confidence are afraid of failures and their behavior is controlled
by anxiety and fear. While someone with a healthy self-confidence will face
their fears and go ahead with the task, those with a low self-esteem will back
off and allow their fears to control their lives.

Can Low Self-Confidence Ruin My Life?

If
you are suffering from low self-confidence, it is already destroying your life.
It will have an impact on each and every aspect of your life. It will prevent
you from achieving success in career. It will prevent you from forming
successful relationships. It will also have an effect on your physical and
emotional health. So, if you want to improve your self-confidence, you should
take a step right now.